Flexible flatfoot is a common problem of premature patients. There are different
procedures described for the treatment of this condition. The calcaneal stop is an
easy and simple procedure for its treatment. In this study, we evaluate this
technique as a valuable one.
Patients and methods
This study was performed on 20 feet in 12 patients (seven males and five females)
with flexible flatfeet (eight bilateral and four unilateral cases) who were treated with
a calcaneal-stop procedure. They had the following inclusion criteria: (a) skeletalimmaturity
patients; (b) symptomatic flexible flatfoot deformity (pain, function, and
activity limitations) not responsive to conservative treatment. The evaluation was
done clinically by American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle–Hindfoot
score, and hindfoot valgus angle. Radiological evaluation was done by calcanealpitch
angles, Kite’s angle, talar-declination angle, lateral Meary’s angle, and
talonavicular-coverage angle.
Results
Clinical and functional outcomes of all patients were evaluated, before surgery, and
at 3 and 6 months after surgery. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society
score mean increased from 70.6 (SD 4.8) to 88.4 (SD 7.4) at the end of the study.
Heel valgus improved from 11.45 (SD 3.02) to 2.7 (SD 1.3) at the end of the study.
The calcaneal-pitch angle increased from 13.4 (SD 1.1) to 16.1 (SD 1.4) at the end
of the study. Talar-declination angle decreased from 41.9 (SD 5.0) to 32.8 (SD 4.5)
at the end. Kite angle changed from 29.6 (SD 3.1) preoperatively to 26.7 (SD 2.7)
finally. Talonavicular-coverage angle improved from 22.4 (SD 5.4) to 11.2 (SD 5.68)
at the end. Lateral Meary’s talocalcaneal angle decreased from 20.55±6.9 to 14.3
±4.73 at 6 months after surgery. There was significant satisfaction of 11 (91.6%)
patients with one patient who showed some pain at the site of operation with no
need for screw removal.
Conclusion
There was significant improvement (P